Alligator

Alligators in the sewers! Or rather a stream just a couple of miles away from our house. Wacky!

No rest for the wicked. As Grips attempted to relax, the girls had other ideas. No uncles were hurt in the making of this production. 

We beached and the kids HAD to go in the water, despite the less than beach weather. Blixx, being a litle kid himself, had to join them. Cass has no problem with the water at all and is a big fan of splashing. She already gets that if you kick your feet you can move yourself in the water, so I imagine she'll be swimming by the end of the summer. 

When we stopped for lunch, we lit a fire and relaxed for a while. The girls were chasing each other around & shreeking loudly. As you can tell from her face, Cass had a blast! 

It really was a beautiful day to paddle. Not too hot, not too cold. That's V on the left there...paddling her own boat all by herself. She really made huge strides! We're all very proud. 

On Father's Day we went kayaking in Sturbridge with Grips and family. Cassidy was PERFECT and had a blast. Here she's helping me to paddle. 

Too cool for school! That's her cousin Jules in the front. 

Tempest & Purge came to enjoy the festivities. As you can see, Purge was comfortable enough to be himself. 

Toward the end of the evening, we put Cass into her PJ's and let her roam with her new loot. She made out like a bandit! 

That's grandma Nutty in the background. Cassidy's 4 cousins were there, as well as V. It was non stop fun fun fun for my little girl. 

When everyone else arrived, then there was ice cream cake. Cass had some issues throughout the day...but the cake was no problem at all. 

Next the girls did a craft project. These were wooden pieces that I attached magnets to the back of, then they decorated. I imagine that several fathers recieved these treasures as father's day gifts. 

First we had four of Cassidy's playmates over to play on her brand new swing set. Blixx broke his hump getting it up & secure in time for the party. 

Hole Lotta Work

Thats Blixx looking down at me through the big ass hole in my kitchen floor. Um, we'll be ordering out for a while I guess. 

Door to the World

So we've finally started the fixing the big stuff around the house. Our back door wasn't able to open fully and the floor was sagging...so Toad & Blixx went to work! They took all the old stuff down, then went to the Depot to grab supplies. When they came back....no power!!! So there wasa big hole in my house and they weren't able to fix it. Good thing Cass & I vacated to meet SherBear. 

Florida Friends Return

Hannah & Cassidy at the Mall. My friend SherBear was up from Florida for her brother in law's graduation, so we got together yesterday at the Emerald Square Mall to let the girls play for a while. It was so wonderful to hang with SherBear...I miss her SO much! And our kids are so damn cute playing together. 

Digging to China

Vic & Cass came up 'missing' several times, only to be found down at the beach up to their necks in mess. Cass had sand EVERYWHERE, if you know what I mean... 

Where's my Daddy?

Cass was very frustrated that first night that Blixx wasn't around, so she went on an Uncle hunt to find just the right one to cuddle with. Uncle Toad was the lucky winner. 

Cousins Camping

Eddie, Cass & Julia enjoying a marshmellow. It was hectic having all the kids at once, but I think the cousins really enjoyed themselves. Notice the tumor on the side of Cass's head? That's a bug bite gone wrong. With all the rain in recent weeks, the squitos were merciless. 

No Fear

Blixx decided to go for a swim, and his two little helpers weren't too far behind. Cass has absolutely no fear of the water now and enjoyed playing in the sand and getting filthy. 

BACON!

This was the first of the two pounds we cooked. For the record, there still wasn't enough. That's Grips & Birdgirl in the background. 

Coffee Meeting Ground

Early morning at the camp ground. We all gathered together to make breakfast and the girls decided that climbing on Blixx was more fun than eating pancakes...at least for a little while. That's Walker Pond in the background. 

MEMORIAL DAY 2005 CAMPING PICTURES

Josh & Cass really enjoyed our new red wagon. It was a life saver - hauling both stuff and kids between camp sites. V pulled the little ones around for hours. 

Memorial Day Camp Fiasco

Blixx came down with Strep a couple days before so camping got a little screwey. Thursday night I was giving him a sponge bath at 2am. He was saying how freezing he was, as steam came off him from the cool cloth. Poor darling was really banged up, puking up his shoes, unable to swallow...bad scene. He was a little better by Saturday but still not at top form, so Cass & I packed up the car and headed out camping ourselves.
Ok, so we weren't by ourselves by a long shot. The whole gang was there and pitched in to help put up tent/tarps and chase my monkey baby around. She had a great time during the day but both nights were rough - like no one getting any sleep rough! Blixx met us on Sunday...and about 1/2 hour later his sister Rox and her kids showed up. It was nice to see them & help them experience the outdoors (city kids with no camp/forest experience), but it was hectic to say the least. Blixx & I had dinner together (barely), I went on a short but lovely night kayak adventure, then Blixx went off to hang with the guys and I stared at the fire for a few hours.
Overall I had a nice time but never really felt like I could sit down and relax. And I certainly didn't feel like it was a family vacation. It was always hectic so I really didn't get the 'vacation' I was looking for. The vacation I desperately need.
I've been so stressed out lately, and it's not just my period. I'm snappish and find myself crying far to often, over far too little. I really have to get my shit together & I'm thinking that I need to get away to do it. Bill's sister & I are thinking of just running away from our families for a weekend or something camping, but I think I need something NOW. I love my husband & daughter but sometimes I just don't want to see them or deal with their bs. Ya know?
Somehow I bet they think the same of me & my bitchyness.